Anybody gone filterless?

[DavidP]

I've been debating getting rid of my UV filters (they're the Hoya UV0 Pro1 - very nice ones) on all of my lenses.

My chart testing with and without the UV filter (using the 50/1.4) shows that there is a slight reduction in contrast, but no apparent reduction in resolution), when using these filters. The reduction in contrast shows up as the deepest blacks not coming out quite as dark when the UV filter is used.

[lecter]

I have clear filters on the end..(silly calling it a filter) on all my lenses except:-
my T/S has a blueish filter.... uv super dooper.....
made the camera spin out a bit this weekend... first time I've taken more than 10 pictures with it.......

[Vern Stevens]

I've been debating getting rid of my UV filters (they're the Hoya UV0 Pro1 - very nice ones) on all of my lenses.

My chart testing with and without the UV filter (using the 50/1.4) shows that there is a slight reduction in contrast, but no apparent reduction in resolution), when using these filters. The reduction in contrast shows up as the deepest blacks not coming out quite as dark when the UV filter is used.
I have the same filters, but I usually go filterless with my 17-40L. I don't think I would out and out get rid of them though. I have Hoya Pro filters as well, including the one that is UV / CP. I "need" the CP moreso than the UV at times, but I still can't get past the bare front element complex feeling the need to protect it at slight cost to image quality.

VES

[FredG]

I like them for protection, especially on the lenses with hoods that don't stick out far enough to serve that function.
Fred

[Steve Mitchell]

I definitely notice an improvement when the filter is removed from the lens. I't one of those things you notice when you compare side by side pics. Otherwise, ignorance is bliss.

[Rune]

I've got polarising filters for all my lenses (except that expensive drop-in thingy) and the only protection I use are the hoods... I.e. I don't use filters unless I want to.

http://runesbike.com/pics/Tromso03/CRW_2769_m.jpg

[Anders Östberg]

I've had a test on my want-to-do list for a long time...

...I'd like to do some controlled testing and see if there really is a significant difference with and without high-quality UV filters.

Must take some time to do this soon, it would be a shame if my pictures could look significantly better. I have a feeling though that the loss in quality is so small that it is covered by post-processing changes anyway, and if this is actually true then I'll take the quality loss for the protection the lenses get.

-Anders

[dbevis]

The only filter I use anymore is a circ-pol, although only on occasions when there's going to be a lot of sky in the shot. The UV filters are shelved. I used to worry about damage, but that's never been a problem, so always keeping a UV on is a practice I've given up.